Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a medical device for treating a cancerous tumor, the medical device having a first lead including a first wire and second wire; a second lead can include a third wire and fourth wire; and a first electrode in electrical communication with the first wire, a second electrode in electrical communication with the second wire, a third electrode in electrical communication with the third wire, and a fourth electrode in electrical communication with the fourth wire. The first and third electrodes form a supply electrode pair configured to deliver one or more electric fields to the cancerous tumor. The second and fourth electrodes form a sensing electrode pair configured to measure an impedance of the cancerous tumor independent of an impedance of the first electrode, the first wire, the third electrode, the third wire, and components in electrical communication therewith. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices (IMDs) are described. The IMDs are configured to wirelessly receive power from an electromagnetic field provided by an external charger. The IMDs include a conductive case and a header that is typically non-conductive, and which houses a three dimensional antenna structure configured to couple with the external magnetic field. Currents induced in the antenna structure are used to provide power to the IMD. The three dimensional antenna structure may be configured as a cage structure comprising a first loop antenna proximate and parallel to the front of the header, a second loop antenna proximate and parallel to the back of the header, and a third loop antenna proximate and parallel to the top of the header. The three dimensional antenna structure allows the IMD to effectively receive power from different directions, for example, if the orientation of the IMD is flipped or otherwise shifted within the patient's body.

Abstract: An implantable medical device is adapted for implantation into body tissue. The implantable medical device comprises a housing and a header coupled to the housing. A cavity is located in the header. An ultrasonic transducer adapted to transmit acoustic waves at a communication frequency is located in the cavity, and a coupling surface is interposed between the ultrasonic transducer and the body tissue and is acoustically coupled with the body tissue.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a dual-use sensor such as a single accelerometer that senses an acceleration signal. A sensor processing circuit processes the acceleration signal to produce an activity level signal and a heart sound signal. The implantable medical device provides for rate responsive pacing in which at least one pacing parameter, such as the pacing interval, is dynamically adjusted based on the physical activity level. The implantable medical device also uses the heart sounds for pacing control purposes or transmits a heart sound signal to an external system for pacing control and/or diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: A system and method for waking up an implantable medical device (“IMD”) from a sleep state in which power consumption by the IMD is essentially zero. The IMD may be adapted to perform one or more designated measurement and/or therapeutic functions. In one embodiment, the IMD includes a wake-up sensor that is adapted to sense the presence or absence of a wake-up field generated by another IMD or an external device. The wake-up field may, in some embodiments, be an electromagnetic field, a magnetic field, or a physiologically sub-threshold excitation current (i.e., E-field). Upon sensing by the wake-up sensor of the wake-up field, other components of the IMD, which may include a controller, a sensing and/or therapy module, and/or a communications module, are awakened to perform one or more designated functions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is presented for an implanted sound sensor wirelessly communicating with an implantable medical device, or with an external monitoring device. The second sensor may be located inside a blood vessel anchored by an expandable stent like device, and may be drug coated. The sound sensor may be a solid-state microphone having a unidirectional characteristic and may be aimed at a selected portion of the heart, lung, or other location. There may be a network of sound sensors forming a local area network with the implantable medical device. The information from the sound sensor may be analyzed, filtered, transformed, compared to a standard and stored in the implantable device, or it may be passed on to an external location. The results of the analysis may be use to initiate a closed-loop treatment by the implantable medical device, such as cardiac pacing or defibrillation.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present subject matter includes an apparatus including a non-thin-film battery, the apparatus including a cylindrical implantable housing, electronics disposed in the implantable housing, and a battery disposed in the implantable housing, the battery comprising: a stack including at least one substantially planar anode having a thickness greater than 1 micrometer and at least one substantially planar cathode having a thickness greater than 1 micrometer, a housing enclosing the stack of substantially planar anodes and cathodes, and terminals interconnecting the battery and the electronics, wherein the battery has a volume of less than 0.024 cubic centimeters. The present subject matter includes an implantable medical device having a bobbin battery.

Abstract: A system and method for charging a rechargeable battery or capacitor in one implantable device using a charger located in a second implantable device is provided. One aspect of this disclosure relates to a system for charging a rechargeable component. The system includes at least one satellite implantable medical device, the satellite device including at least one rechargeable component. The system also includes a master implantable medical device adapted to communicate with the at least one satellite device. The master device includes a primary battery and a charger adapted to connect to the primary battery. The charger in the master device is adapted to charge the rechargeable component in the satellite device. The charger can charge the rechargeable component wirelessly, according to various embodiments. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: The present subject matter includes an apparatus for positioning in an implant site which includes a hermetically sealed shell having an exterior shaped as a function of hydrodynamic drag at the implant site, turbulence at the implant site, fluid sheer stress at the implant site, and stagnation at the implant site; electronics disposed in the hermetically sealed shell and a power source disposed in the hermetically sealed shell.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system for gathering physiologic data related to a human body includes a sensor device implanted in the human body, an inductive coil communicably coupled to the implanted sensor device; and a manager device in communication with the implanted sensor device via the inductive coil. The coil may be wrapped around the sensor device or attached to the sensor device fixation. An embodiment of a method for gathering physiologic data related to a physiologic parameter in a human body includes communicably coupling an inductive coil to communication circuitry of an implantable medical device (IMD), deploying the inductive coil and the IMD into a vessel of the human body, and inducing current in the inductive coil via the communication circuitry, the current representative of data associated with the IMD.

Abstract: A battery management circuit provides an implantable medical device with power management that allows safe and efficient use of a rechargeable battery. Various ways of monitoring the energy level of the rechargeable battery and controlling the battery recharging process for user convenience and safety are provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are described for posture detection. Orientations of a body are detected with respect to first and second axes. A movement of the body with respect to a third axis is also detected. Three-dimensional orientations of the body are determined based on the orientations and the movement. The detected posture may be used for applications such as controlling medical devices and detecting patient disorders.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) is adapted for detecting acoustic chest sounds. The IMD includes a pulse generator having a compartment, the compartment defining an isolated cavity bounded by a back wall. A diaphragm is disposed over and encloses the cavity. An acoustic sensor adapted to sense chest sounds and generate a signal is disposed between the diaphragm and the back wall. The IMD also includes a control circuit disposed within the pulse generator. The circuit is operatively coupled to the acoustic sensor and is adapted to receive the signal.

Abstract: A system to monitor heart sounds. The system comprises an implantable heart sound sensor operable to produce an electrical signal representative of at least one heart sound, a heart sound sensor interface circuit coupled to the heart sound sensor to produce a heart sound signal, an implantable posture sensor operable to produce an electrical signal representative of a patient's posture, and a controller circuit, coupled to the heart sound sensor interface circuit and the posture circuit. The controller circuit is operable to measure at least one heart sound in correspondence with at least one sensed patient posture.

Abstract: A system for determining a patient's posture by monitoring heart sounds. The system comprises an implantable medical device that includes a sensor operable to produce an electrical signal representative of heart sounds, a sensor interface circuit coupled to the sensor to produce a heart sound signal, and a controller circuit coupled to the sensor interface circuit. The heart sounds are associated with mechanical activity of a patient's heart and the controller circuit is operable to detect a posture of the patient from a heart sound signal.

Abstract: A charge consumption measuring circuit is disclosed which is particularly suitable for use in an implantable cardiac device. The circuit utilizes the power conversion cycles of an inductive switching regulator to measure the quantity of charge supplied by a battery and/or drawn by the circuitry of the device.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a dual-use sensor such as a single accelerometer that senses an acceleration signal. A sensor processing circuit processes the acceleration signal to produce an activity level signal and a heart sound signal. The implantable medical device provides for rate responsive pacing in which at least one pacing parameter, such as the pacing interval, is dynamically adjusted based on the physical activity level. The implantable medical device also uses the heart sounds for pacing control purposes or transmits a heart sound signal to an external system for pacing control and/or diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: Drive circuitry to provide a DC bias voltage and a high frequency modulation current to an electroabsorption modulator (EAM), including a high frequency modulation current source, a coupling capacitor, and a first DC lead. The drive circuitry may include termination circuitry. One lead of the high frequency modulation current source is electrically coupled to the first semiconductor type contact of the EAM and the other lead of the high frequency modulation current source is electrically coupled to an AC ground. The coupling capacitor includes a first electrode electrically coupled to the second semiconductor type contact of the EAM, a second electrode electrically coupled to the AC ground, and a dielectric layer between the electrodes. The first DC lead is electrically coupled to the EAM-side capacitor electrode and configured to be coupled to a first DC potential.

Abstract: Drive circuitry to provide a DC bias voltage and a high frequency modulation current to an electroabsorption modulator (EAM), including a high frequency modulation current source, a coupling capacitor, and a first DC lead. The drive circuitry may include termination circuitry. One lead of the high frequency modulation current source is electrically coupled to the first semiconductor type contact of the EAM and the other lead of the high frequency modulation current source is electrically coupled to an AC ground. The coupling capacitor includes a first electrode electrically coupled to the second semiconductor type contact of the EAM, a second electrode electrically coupled to the AC ground, and a dielectric layer between the electrodes. The first DC lead is electrically coupled to the EAM-side capacitor electrode and configured to be coupled to a first DC potential.

Abstract: Drive circuitry to provide a DC bias voltage and a high frequency modulation current to an electroabsorption modulator (EAM), including a high frequency modulation current source, a coupling capacitor, and a first DC lead. The drive circuitry may include termination circuitry. One lead of the high frequency modulation current source is electrically coupled to the first semiconductor type contact of the EAM and the other lead of the high frequency modulation current source is electrically coupled to an AC ground. The coupling capacitor includes a first electrode electrically coupled to the second semiconductor type contact of the EAM, a second electrode electrically coupled to the AC ground, and a dielectric layer between the electrodes. The first DC lead is electrically coupled to the EAM-side capacitor electrode and configured to be coupled to a first DC potential.